Georgia Oetker, without
remuneration, flew six thousand miles to take photographs for LSW's
'Rounding Shakespeare'. 'Rounding Shakespeare' was given as a
gift
to Arts in Corrections at the California Men's Colony State Prison.
At an organisational meeting in advance of the production it was
reported to LSW through the AIC liaison that, amongst many
other items, Georgia would be allowed to enter the prison for a week
to make a photographic record for LSW. During the course of
rehearsals - at another meeting at which LSW was not permitted to
attend - it was decided that Georgia could only photograph
for one day. No reason was given. On the
day previous to the agreed date for the photography it was
decided that Georgia would have to be followed by an institutional
representative. Georgia fulfilled her commitment. She
came as promised for the entire week. In the
extraordinary record that will follow - created in but a few hours -
Georgia got an amazing overview. During the week she'd
built the trust of the 30 men involved. It was, in fact, the
same respect that the men had found for and about themselves and
each other. LSW was delighted to provide food for the company
following their debrief and for an educational awards scheme for
other inmates. It meant a lot to the men involved. What
follows is a remarkable and privileged document. There are,
sadly, no production photos of 'Rounding Shakespeare' itself.
Georgia and LSW had been promised these could be taken. The
institutional representative, however, decided on the spur of the
moment that he had to go home. No alternative was supplied.
Georgia was walked to her rented car and the camera was, once again,
locked inside. Time, it seemed, was to be curtailed.
This amazing document, however, isn't and proudly remains as
testament.

'Listen,' Fred says directly, 'I'm 43. You people
don't remember the real Crips.' (The Crips are one of the two largest black
gangs in LA).
'I've seen them die. All of them. None of you will remember.
You understand me.' Fred now gives a speech worthy of Shakespeare's Henry
V.
Vividly he blazes through a list of colourful names; gang martyrs all: All
vividly real to him. For these moments they live again.
All were enraptured. As the Bard did, Fred was making this rich history
live. 'You give that speech outside as a general audition for a
Shakespearean company, Fred,'
Bruce responded when Fred had finished, 'and I defy them NOT to hire you.
If they don't it will be their loss - and it will simply be through their own
misplaced fear.'

Herbert wasn't sure he wanted to participate initially. 'I
didn't want to play the fool', he remembers.
'Now we're 'friends' he said. 'In prison you don't have friends. Outside I
never sat in a room with white men and Hispanics as equals'.

After seeing his picture published in a positive regard in
the Los Angeles Times, Dey sits in the corner and weeps.

'When I left the last time,' Bruce said at the Awards
presentation, 'Octavio said to me: 'I won't forget what you told me.'
'Now,' Bruce continued, 'I want to thank Tavio for the courage he's shown us
all'.

Kevin was Rounding Shakespeare's 'Director of Media &
Communications'. He also was responsible for the lighting and decor.